The RFU’S Overall Governance of the  Game in England

The RFU is the governing body for rugby union in England and as such is responsible for setting out the strategic objectives and policies for the administration and development of the game at all levels in England. These objectives and policies are set out in this the second RFU Strategic Plan covering the period 2005/06 to 2012/13. The RFU has delegated certain responsibilities to various affiliated bodies under the Rules or by agreement. As far as International Rugby is concerned, the RFU is solely responsible for international rugby in all its aspects.

The RFU Management Board's Eight Themes

The RFU Management Board has set out eight key themes to be incorporated in the strategic Plan review process. These eight themes are as follows:

1. The appropriateness of the ‘seamless game’;
2. The development of English Qualified Players;
3. The roles and responsibilities of CBs and clubs in the game;
4. Development of unified structures and programmes for the game;
5. Develop our IT systems to measure performance;
6. Maintain the ethos and culture of the game;
7. Ensure we are a ‘growth game’;
8. Take a leading role in the development of the game worldwide.

These eight themes were submitted to each of the 13 Task Groups to ensure that those relevant to their remits were incorporated in their review work.

The Strategic Plan Review Process

The RFU Management Board decided that the overriding principle to be followed in conducting the review process was that it should be a ‘bottom up’ process to secure buy-in and commitment from the whole game. To manage and oversee the process, the board established a Steering Group made up of an equal number of Volunteer and professional staff members as follows:

Each of the Standing Committees were also asked to review the objectives and  strategies in the current Strategic Plan in their areas of responsibility and report back to the Steering Group with suggested alterations, deletions or additions. In addition, Club England reviewed in detail the Elite Rugby section of the current Strategic Plan and the content of the unapproved draft England Rugby Strategic Plan in producing the Elite Rugby section in this Plan. 

The Steering Group established 13 Task Groups comprised of 30 Volunteer members and 15 Directors and professional staff to review the objectives and strategies in the first Strategic Plan and to make recommendations of changes or additions for the revised  strategic Plan. The 13 Task Groups covered the following areas:

1. Community Game Participation Levels
2. Coaching and Officiating
3. Competitions and Deregulation
4. Facilities and Government Funding
5. National Leagues
6. Volunteer Issues
7. Commercial, Marketing and Business
8. International Match Tickets
9. IT and the Web
10. Game Management Structures
11. Financial Matters
12. Ethics, Equity,Welfare and Care
13. CB Strategic Plan Implementation Task Group

In addition, a specially designed web based questionnaire was developed enabling all
member clubs to input into the process by using simple ‘drop down’ menus. Over 220
member clubs took up this opportunity to input into the Plan review process. 

Acknowledgements

A list of the members of the Task Groups in alphabetical order is set out below. The RFU would like to thank each and every one of them for the enormous and valued contribution they have made to the process. The RFU would also like to thank the members of each of the Standing Committees who also made significant contributions.

Back to RFU Strategic plan 2005/06 - 2012/13 contents